Americans are consuming fewer medical services, data show

Moral of the story: Tough times means less medical procedures, all fair and well.  But lower insurance rates? I'll believe that when I see it.

Source: AMA Morning Rounds 7/29/2010

Americans are consuming fewer medical services, data show.

The Wall Street Journal (7/29, Johnson, Rockoff, Mathews) reports that health insurers, including Aetna and WellPoint, have released data indicating that people with coverage are using fewer medical services. Overall, the number of lab tests, elective surgeries such as knee replacement, and drug prescriptions decreased during the second quarter, compared to the same time period last year. Experts attribute this trend to the weak economy, high unemployment rates, the loss of health coverage among people who have been laid off, as well as a greater number of subscribers to high-deductible health plans. Some insurers say that if the trend persists, they will have to decrease premiums to reflect the lower rate of consumption.